Off The Record
A Neuroscientist Talks About The Scariest Thing She Sees People Doing To Their Brains
While most people understand the value of maintaining an active lifestyle, not many are aware of the close relationship that exists between mental and physical well-being.
The scariest thing that neuroscientist Dr. Kim Johnson Hatchett frequently sees is the severe effects that skipping exercise, especially strength training, has on the brain.
Let’s investigate what she identifies as the riskiest habit individuals are forming that could have long-term consequences.
Muscle Weakness: A Silent Brain Killer
In a TikTok, Dr. Hatchett highlights how, more often than not, cerebral function and muscular weakness are closely related.
Her patients frequently don’t relate their complaints of physical weakness or mobility problems to their mental health. But if you ignore muscle contraction, your brain won’t get enough nerve growth factor (NGF), a vital protein that keeps neurons and myelin healthy and maintains cognitive function. [1]
The Inactivity Epidemic
The current way of life, where many people prioritize work or leisure activities like binge-watching TV shows over exercising, exacerbates this issue even further.
People in their 30s and 40s sometimes forgo exercise due to hectic schedules, not realizing that missing exercises can have detrimental effects on brain function in later life. “Even a little bit of daily movement reduces your dementia risk“. [2]
The Brain’s Response to Exercise
Every workout improves cognitive function by increasing blood flow to the brain, especially aerobic and weight training.
Learning a new sport or working out regularly are examples of physical activities that stimulate new neural connections in the brain.
By doing these exercises repeatedly, you may fortify those bonds and increase your resilience on the physical and emotional levels.
The Importance of Strength Training
As we age, muscle mass normally declines, with a noticeable decline occurring after the age of 50.
The body loses muscle more quickly without regular strength training, which makes it harder to do daily chores like carrying groceries or long walks.
Dr. Hatchett emphasizes the value of including strength training in everyday routines to preserve cognitive and mobility well into old age.
Taking Control of the Aging Process
Dr. Hatchett’s main points are that it’s not inevitable for the body and intellect to deteriorate with age.
Engaging in strength training on a regular basis is like investing in your future health.
Just as people save money for retirement, exercising today ensures a higher quality of life tomorrow.
Conclusion
The insights provided by Dr. Hatchett are a potent reminder of the connection between mental and physical health.
Frequent exercise, especially strength training, helps protect cognitive function as we age and avoid muscle weakening.
It’s never too early to begin making movement-based investments in the future of your brain. “Getting weaker as you age is not inevitable“—and the best time to start is now.
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